lyubomirsky

Lyubomirsky explains that because we all perform acts of kindness naturally, it seems to please us more when we're more conscious of it.

The day I meet Sonja Lyubomirsky, she keeps getting calls from her Toyota Prius dealer.

"Staying positive is really important, right down to the effect it has on your immune system, " Dr. Lyubomirsky says.

Leading psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky has found that the happiest people don't dwell on negative or ambiguous events.

But before Lyubomirsky began, there was "a huge vacuum of research on how to increase happiness, " she says.

So Lyubomirsky had to lay some groundwork before she could go into the lab.

"Your life will be happier if you focus on affirming things, " rather than things that depress you, says Dr. Lyubomirsky.

Be grateful. Professor Sonia Lyubomirsky of University of California Riverside had subjects write down five things they were thankful for.

Lyubomirsky has been studying these activities in hopes of finding out whether and how people can stay above their set point.

No matter how dysfunctional your family, gratitude can still work, says Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside.

Instead of comparing ourselves to others, focusing on our own personal achievement leads to greater satisfaction, according to Lyubomirsky.

Finance survey, it's not likely to bring long-lasting contentment, Lyubomirsky says.

Pick a Goal "If you find a happy person you will find a project, " says Lyubomirsky. "Happy people all have goals they care about. "

Sheldon and Lyubomirsky (2007) estimate it at only 10%. This is completely dwarfed by the genetic contribution to happiness.

Here are some practical suggestions, from research by University of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky.

The only thing that is left is what we actually do every day. What Sheldon and Lyubomirsky refer to as 'intentional activity'.